Posts Tagged ‘Losing Joy’

P.S. July 18, 2017 Angels everywhere!

Theme Consultant/Writers’ Platform-Building Coach Teresa LeYung-Ryan here to say: “Angels everywhere! I found a source for songs to gift to my friends who have dementia or Alzheimer’s. Five days ago, I opened an email from Patrick von Wiegandt announcing his new CD SWANKY AT ABBEY ROAD. Seeing Patrick’s name brought back delightful memories of when Elisa Sasa Southard and I were morning presenters (teaching writers how to attract attention from agents, acquisition editors, and anyone who could be a fan) at the San Francisco Writers Conference (founded by Michael Larsen and Elizabeth Pomada). Over the 3-day conference, Patrick and his team would orchestrate the recordings of 100+ sessions. Friday and Saturday evenings at the conference, Patrick’s band entertained hundreds of writers.

“What joy to know that his music is for sale. On his website, Patrick von Wiegandt says: ‘Swanky is a fresh take on some of the most elegant, engaging and absolutely wonderful songs ever composed. This is my loving musical tour of the Jazz Age – 1920′s to 1940′s. My pal, mentor and Legendary Producer/Engineer/Mixer Al Schmitt supervised the recording at Capitol Studios, Hollywood. I want to thank all of the terrific musicians, engineers and all of the creative and hard working folks who helped make this dream come true. I could not - would not have done this without you.’

“So, I ordered 6 CDs. And, I asked Patrick if his press releases and other PR material talks about how his CDs (songs from 1920′s to 1940‘s) help folks who are battling memory loss. He replied with heartwarming news. I cheer for Patrick and encourage him to add his news (see below) and photos to his website/blog/social media. Patrick, please help more fans find you. Please blog at least once a month, and add a photo or a 30-second video (of your audience, could be backs of their heads) each time you publish a blog post. You do good work in the community and that ought to be broadcast. I teach my clients the importance of understanding what fans can do. Well, I am your fan and I applaud you and I tag your name, your CD titles, and the words “songs from 1920′s to 1940‘s” in this blog post and shouting out . . .

Patrick von Wiegandt says: “We have been playing in retirement homes and Alzheimer’s facilities in L.A and Hawaii – and it’s been an amazing experience. A real joy to see people light up when we play these songs from 1920′s to 1940‘s.” http://www.patrickvon.com/

Sincerely,

Coach Teresa LeYung-Ryan

July 2, 2017

How can family members, friends, neighbors, caregivers help the person suffering from affliction?

Recently I visited one of my dear mentors – author Lynn Scott who had brought joy to her clients (suffering from Alzheimer’s disease) by singing songs from her clients’ past. So, when I was talking to another dear mentor (she and her husband had just moved into an apartment in an assisted living community and now her husband is moved to the “memory care unit” which is in another part of the building), I told this mentor about Lynn Scott; also I asked if their son could get CDs of songs that she and her husband listened to when they were a young couple. This morning, I was awakened by memories of conversations with both mentors. I Googled the words [ Dementia, Alzheimer's, songs from the past ] and found the insightful article written by Sara Davidson:

“The Songs They Can’t Forget” by Sara Davidson April 23, 2009

Excerpts from Ms. Davidson’s article:

Tom was a wanderer. When his wife, Elsie, came to visit him at a care unit for patients with dementia, he would give her a perfunctory kiss, then wander off through the rooms and stare out the window. Elsie tried to walk with him and hold hands, but he would shake her off, leaving her heartsick.

A music therapist at the facility, Alicia Clair, was searching for ways to help couples like Elsie and Tom connect.

[....]

Researchers and clinicians are finding that when all other means of communication have shut down, people remember and respond to music. Familiar songs can help people with dementia relate to others, move more easily and experience joy.

[....]

Not just any music will do, though. The trick is finding out what music was popular when the patient was a teen and young adult. Ms. Kate Gfeller said those years are such a powerful time in developing autonomy — a time of first love, learning to drive, getting the first home of one’s own — that people will play the music they heard during those years all their lives, and recall it the longest.